What to put in a Christmas hamper

A homemade hamper could be the most thoughtful gift you give this year.
Harriot Lane Fox has tracked down a range of goodies to suit everyone’s
tastes
.

Photo: MARTIN POPE

By Harriot Lane Fox

3:40PM GMT 05 Dec 2012

The Christmas hamper has made a comeback since its Eighties low as the quintessential showy-but-empty corporate gift. Now, as well as the high-end usual suspects like Fortnum & Mason and Harrods, lots of online delis and farm shops sell pre-picked artisan goodies. Some let you tweak the shopping list for a hint of the bespoke. But, being a little too 'off-the-shelf’, they still leave many of us cold.

A homemade hamper has a better nature. While costing less, it could be the most generous present you give. It takes time and loving care to match just the right mix of sweet, spicy, nostalgic and novel treats for someone.

We have done the legwork for you, and trawled the internet for food gifts with a difference (and included the final order dates, at the end of each item) – a wide selection of treats that you can choose from, depending on your budget.

The container doesn’t have to be pricey artisan wicker; online housewares retailers are a great source of cheap quirky baskets, bowls, adaptable “storage solutions”. With imagination and basic Blue Peter craft skills, you could even upcycle an Amazon box. Fill it with petshop hay or shredded tissue paper, both a couple of pounds for a big wodge. Or use a shredder on last year’s gift-wrap.

Some retailers pack their parcels with reusable wood wool. But the hamper-builder’s best friend is ribbon. You don’t need to keep the product in its original packaging; we took out the candy canes and tied them in a bundle with white satin. And, whether you swathe your creation in cellophane or not, a big festive bow is the perfect finishing touch.

£3.49 For the morning after An ancient South American supertonic with scientific endorsement, yerba mate is one of the Teapigs detox brews (020 8568 1313; teapigs.co.uk; Dec 20; chai also available at Waitrose, 0800 188 884)

The Petit Jour children’s cardboard suitcase (below) in medium costs £7.99 (01603 621076; elmhillcraftshop.co.uk; Dec 17). The local pet shop supplied hay, £1.95 for the smallest bag. The luggage labels were £1.50 for 10 (08456 049049; johnlewis.com; in-store), while the glittery alphabet stickers, two of each letter, small and capital, were £3 (Paperchase, as above).